Childbearing Barriers among Iranian Women: A Qualitative Study

Background aim: The Fertility rate is decreasing in most countries and the total fertility rate (TFR) has reached its lower replacement level, and negative population growth is observed in some countries, including Iran. This study aimed to explore the childbearing barriers among women living in northern Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was performed with a conventional content analysis approach in Gorgan, Iran, from November 2018 to October 2019. A total of 23 women participated in this study. Of these, ten women had delayed childbearing at least four years after marriage, nine experienced induced abortion (without medical reasons), and four were voluntarily childless. Three childbearing politicians were also interviewed. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews and analyzed following recommendations by Hsieh Shannon. The four criteria of credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability were used to achieve trustworthiness. Results: Seven themes emerged as childbearing barriers: undesirable society, economic hardship, work-family conflict, changed value of motherhood and childbearing, self- interest and convenience, feeling of inadequacy about parental role, being worried about child suffering and loneliness. Conclusion: It seems that societal and personal concerns are the most important childbearing barriers among Iranian women. Perhaps some barriers such as economic and social problems could be resolved by advancing women s status in society, equality policies and paid parental leave. However, personal concerns might be reconciled by implementing appropriate educational interventions ensuring that assist couples in making informed decisions about childbearing.